Free funder guide · Illinois · Last checked 27 September 2026
Which Illinois environmental funders actually accept applications
Most private foundations in Illinois have already told the IRS they won't read your proposal. This page explains how to spot them, and lists 13 secular funders of environmental and conservation work in Illinois that do take applications, with what they fund, what they have given, and when they next open.
The biggest change in Illinois conservation funding is recent: the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation closed at the end of 2024 and passed its last $47.1 million to the Prairie State Conservation Coalition, which now runs the Prairie State Conservation Fund. Most of the large Chicago foundations that fund conservation also gave to a church, a religious school, a YMCA or another faith-based charity in their latest filing, so only two private foundations are listed here.
From my own read of IRS filings, September 2026
In Illinois, 1,722 of the 2,235 private foundations with $1 million or more in assets that I could check tick the box on their tax return saying they don't accept unsolicited requests. That is 77%.
That leaves 513 larger Illinois foundations that say they will read an application. It is a higher share of closed doors than in Wisconsin (67%, 572 of 859), Michigan (72%, 690 of 964) and Indiana (65%, 359 of 555), counted the same way.
How I counted: every private non-operating foundation with an Illinois address on the IRS Exempt Organizations Master File (September 2026 release) reporting assets of $1 million or more, checked against its most recent e-filed Form 990-PF (tax years 2022 to 2026, almost all 2024 or 2025). There are 2,237; 2 had no e-filed return I could find, so they are left out of the count. Operating foundations, which mostly run their own programs, are left out, as they were for Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana. Counting them too gives 78% (1,931 of 2,485).
What the checkbox means
One small box on the tax return tells you whether to bother.
Every private foundation files Form 990-PF with the IRS each year. Part XIV, line 2 of that return has a checkbox. A foundation that ticks it is telling the IRS, in writing, that it chooses its grantees itself. A proposal sent to it is usually wasted work.
"Check here if the foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."Form 990-PF, Part XIV, line 2
A foundation that leaves the box empty has to fill in lines 2a to 2d instead: who receives applications, what form they should take, any deadlines, and any limits on who or what it funds. For many small family foundations, those four lines are the only published guidelines they have.
The box does not tell you whether a foundation funds your kind of work. For that, read line 3a, the list of grants it actually paid. Check both before you write a letter of inquiry. Any foundation's return can be read free on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
13 funders
Open to applications, and funding environmental work in Illinois.
Every funder below is secular, says it accepts applications (on its website or its tax return), and has paid grants to environmental or conservation groups in its most recent filing. Government programs are the exception: they file no tax return. Community foundations are listed by the program that fits environmental groups. Grant examples come from each funder's latest IRS filing unless the funder's own site is named.
Verified date on the funder's own site on 27 Sept 2026Expected based on last cycle; next not yet postedRolling applications any timeFiling only no website; from the tax return, confirm firstCheck site next date not posted; open their page
Statewide and regional public grantmakers
01
Prairie State Conservation Coalition: Prairie State Conservation Fund
Springfield · statewide
The statewide land trust coalition's new grant fund, set up with the final $47.1 million grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. Two programs: Acquisition of Land or Conservation Easements (501(c)(3)s and open-space agencies; land must protect natural habitat, sit wholly in Illinois and be open to the public) and the Stewardship Challenge (501(c)(3)s restoring habitat on land that is or will be open to the public).
Typical grant
Stewardship Challenge up to $30,000: $3 for every $1 you raise up to $21,000, $4,000 after 400 volunteer hours, and equipment up to $5,000. Acquisitions need a 20% match (its site). 2026 awards include Grand Prairie Friends $482,000 and Friends of the Kankakee $50,000 (acquisition), and HeartLands Conservancy, Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation and ParkLands Foundation $30,000 each (stewardship).
Next deadline
Land acquisition: letters of intent January 6 to February 3, 2027 Verified. Stewardship Challenge: full proposals July 14 to September 17, 2027 Verified.
How to apply
Online grant portal linked from each program page. Acquisitions start with a letter of intent; the Stewardship Challenge starts with a short eligibility quiz, then the full proposal.
Grants to conservation land trusts for stewardship on dedicated Illinois Nature Preserves, their buffers and registered Land and Water Reserves, including contractors, equipment and staff time. The site needs a current approved management schedule and must be owned by the land trust or covered by an agreement with the owner.
Typical grant
$20,000 to $100,000; about $700,000 in total; match 5% or $1,000, whichever is less (2026 notice of funding opportunity).
Next deadline
The 2026 round ran May 1 to June 12, 2026. Next round about May to June 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Register and prequalify in the State of Illinois Grantee Portal (GATA) before the deadline, then apply in the Amplifund (Euna) system.
Federal Clean Water Act money for watershed-based plans and for putting them into practice: best management practices, and information and education programs that reduce nonpoint source pollution. Local governments and other organizations can apply.
Typical grant
Up to 60% of total project cost; two-year projects; paid as reimbursement. About $4.75 million a year across the planning and implementation calls (its site).
Next deadline
The 2026 call opened July 22 and closed September 16, 2026. Next call about July to September 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Through the State of Illinois GATA Grantee Portal, against the published notice of funding opportunity.
Habitat stamp money for projects that preserve, protect, acquire or manage game and non-game wildlife habitat in Illinois. Nonprofit volunteer groups and government bodies can apply, but only if they manage the land.
Typical grant
Award sizes are not on the program page; see the opportunity details in the portal. Reimbursement grants.
Next deadline
FY27 applications were taken July 1 to August 1, 2026. Next round about July 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Prequalify in the State of Illinois Grantee Portal, then apply in the Amplifund (Euna) system. A habitat management plan, maps and price quotes may be required.
Illinois DNR: Coastal Management Program Competitive Grants
Chicago · Illinois Lake Michigan coast
Federal coastal money for habitat restoration, outreach and education, public access and community development along the Illinois Lake Michigan shoreline. On-the-ground work must sit inside the designated Illinois Coastal Zone; education and planning projects can be based outside it if they focus on coastal issues.
Typical grant
$50,000 to $250,000, with at least a 50% match (reduced for economically challenged communities); $550,000 to $1,075,000 a year in total (its site).
Next deadline
The FY26 round closed May 20, 2026, and the round before closed January 10, 2025, so the timing moves. The next date is not posted Check site.
How to apply
Prequalify on the Illinois GATA portal, then apply through the notice of funding opportunity in the Euna (Amplifund) system.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Chi-Cal Rivers Fund
Washington, DC · Chicago and Calumet waterways and their tributaries
Habitat restoration, nature-based stormwater projects and public access to restored natural areas close to, or directly benefiting, the Chicago and Calumet river systems. Nonprofits are eligible, and no match is required.
Typical grant
The Fund has made 76 grants totaling $17.6 million since 2013 (its site). Stormwater projects need to add at least 100,000 gallons of storage a year to be competitive. Illinois grants in NFWF's latest filing, which does not name the program, include Friends of the Chicago River $467,561 (Thorn Creek), Friends of the Forest Preserves $122,053 (Little Calumet River), NeighborSpace $82,414 and Urban Rivers $71,512.
Next deadline
About August 2027 Expected. The 2026 round closed August 5, 2026, with awards announced in November; the 2027 request for proposals is not posted yet.
How to apply
Online proposal in NFWF's Easygrants system; an applicant webinar runs before the deadline.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Sustain Our Great Lakes
Washington, DC · Illinois part of the Great Lakes basin
Larger projects for stream and riparian habitat, nature-based infrastructure, invasive species control that protects earlier restoration, and public use of restored natural areas anywhere in the U.S. Great Lakes basin, which in Illinois means the Lake Michigan watershed around Chicago.
Typical grant
$200,000 to $1,000,000; about $11 million available in 2026; NFWF says about 23% of applications were funded over the past three years (2026 request for proposals).
Next deadline
About May 2027 for pre-proposals Expected. The 2026 round took pre-proposals to May 28 and full proposals to August 6, 2026.
How to apply
Pre-proposal in NFWF's Easygrants system; invited applicants submit a full proposal.
DuPage Foundation: Community Impact Grants (Environment)
Downers Grove · DuPage County
The foundation's main open grant program has an environment category for programs that restore natural areas, reduce pollution and waste, protect wildlife or teach about the environment in DuPage County. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) public charities that mainly serve DuPage residents; government agencies cannot apply in this category.
Typical grant
Sustain grants up to $25,000; Seed grants up to $5,000 (1:1 match) for groups under three years old (its guidelines). Environmental grants in its filing for the year to June 2025 include The Morton Arboretum $45,000, The Conservation Foundation $33,650, Go Green Glen Ellyn $15,400 and Fermilab Natural Areas $12,000 (the filing does not separate these from donor-advised gifts).
Next deadline
Environment applications go in the fall cycle; the 2026 deadline was September 4, 2026, with decisions in mid-November. Next fall deadline about September 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online application through its grant portal; requests over $5,000 need more financial and outcome detail.
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois: Community Grants (Sustainable Communities)
Rockford · Boone, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago counties
The foundation's largest open program. Its Sustainable Communities focus area includes preserving the natural environment and increasing the region's understanding and appreciation of it.
Typical grant
No published cap; the application gets longer as the request grows (under $10,000, $10,001 to $50,000, over $50,000 with audited financials). Environmental grants in its 2024 filing include Severson Dells Educational Foundation (several, the largest $22,793), Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden $16,998, Natural Land Institute $13,375 and Hoo Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation $11,500 (the filing does not separate open-cycle grants from donor-advised gifts).
Next deadline
The 2026 cycle ran June 25 to August 20, 2026. Next cycle about June to August 2027 Expected.
How to apply
CFNIL web portal; it runs grant-seeker sessions and budgeting workshops before each deadline.
Community Foundation for McHenry County: Community Grants
Crystal Lake · McHenry County
One competitive cycle a year for operating support, programs, capital projects and capacity building, open to 501(c)(3)s serving McHenry County that are at least three years old. Local land conservation groups have been regular grantees.
Typical grant
Not published; awards depend on budget size and project (its site). Environmental grants in its filing for the year to September 2025: The Land Conservancy of McHenry County $30,230 and McHenry County Conservation Foundation $21,821.
Next deadline
The 2026 cycle ran February 23 to April 10, 2026. Next cycle about February to April 2027 Expected.
How to apply
One streamlined application in its Foundant grants portal; it holds information sessions before the cycle.
Small grants for durable, long-lasting items such as equipment, not operating costs or consumables. Any 501(c)(3) serving east central Illinois can apply.
Typical grant
$500 to $7,500 (its site). Environmental grants in its 2025 filing include Champaign Park District $9,895, Champaign Parks Foundation $7,800 and Grand Prairie Friends $5,200 (the filing does not separate these from donor-advised gifts).
Next deadline
Once a year, August 1 to 31 (its standing schedule); the 2026 round has closed and decisions come before November 30. Next round August 1 to 31, 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online application from the grant opportunities page; one application per organization.
Project grants that protect and restore local ecosystems or add green space and urban trail corridors, especially for underserved communities, in three regions including greater Chicago. Operating support is not funded, and projects should finish within a year.
Typical grant
Typically no more than $10,000 (its site). Chicago grants in its 2025 filing: Urban Rivers $10,000 (native plantings at the Wild Mile) and Friends of the Chicago River $7,975 (river-edge restoration).
Next deadline
Once a year, May 1 to June 30; the 2026 cycle has closed. Next cycle about May 1 to June 30, 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online application through its grant portal (linked from the grant process page).
No website; everything here comes from its 2025 tax filing. A small foundation that made two grants, one of them to a riverfront group, and takes written requests from 501(c)(3)s.
Typical grant
Two grants in 2025: Kankakee Riverfront Society $16,667 (riverfront beautification) and Riverside Health Care Foundation $25,000.
Next deadline
No deadline stated in the filing Filing only.
How to apply
A written request in any form to Jeffrey Smith, 1949 West Court Street, Kankakee, IL 60901 ([email protected]).
It is not exhaustive and it is not a ranking. Deadlines and guidelines change, so open each funder's own page before you start. Grants are competitive, and past grant sizes describe what a funder gave, not what it will give you. I list secular funders only.
The full version
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You fill in a short intake questionnaire, then answer one round of written follow-up questions.
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